Antigen presenting system and methods for activation of T-cells

Abstract

Materials and methods of activating T lymphocytes with specificity for particular antigenic peptides are described, as well as the use of activated T lymphocytes in vitro for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions. In particular, fragments of cells for activating T lymphocytes to a specific peptide are described.

We claim:  
     
       1. A fragment of a cell from a synthetic antigen presenting Drosophila cell line for use with T lymphocytes, said cell comprising: 
       a) a Class I MHC heavy chain gene operably linked to a first promoter and capable of expressing a Class I MHC heavy chain;  
       b) a β-2 microglobulin gene operably linked to a second promoter and capable of expressing a β-2 microglobulin that with the MHC heavy chain forms MHC molecules; and  
       c) a gene for at least one assisting molecule operably linked to a third promoter and capable of expressing an assisting molecule that interacts with a molecule on the T lymphocytes; where said assisting molecule protein is a membrane bound costimulatory molecule or adhesion molecule selected from the group consisting of B7.1, B7.2, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3 and LFA-3; such that the MHC molecules bind to a peptide, and the MHC molecules and said at least one assisting molecule are presented on the surface of the cell in sufficient numbers such that said fragment of the cell will activate a T lymphocyte against the peptide when the peptide is bound to the MHC molecules;  
       said fragment having MHC molecules and assisting molecules on the same fragment. 
     
     
       2. The Drosophila cell fragment of claim  1  wherein the MHC molecules are empty. 
     
     
       3. The Drosophila cell fragment of claim  1  wherein the peptide is bound to the MHC molecules. 
     
     
       4. The Drosophila cell fragment of claim  1  having an MHC molecule, and at least two different of said assisting molecules which are membrane bound costimulatory molecules or adhesion molecules on the same fragment, such that the fragment can activate a T-cell lymphocyte.